Category: Uncategorized

  • Zelensky wants own patriarchate #rwanda #RwOT

    Kiev is working to obtain patriarchate status for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), a schismatic entity propped up by the Ukrainian government, according to Vladimir Zelensky.

    Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Zelensky revealed he had discussed the matter with a delegation of hierarchs from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in late August. The hierarchs already have a 'vision of an action plan,' yet the matter is still pending discussions with the patriarch of Constantinople.

    'I've said that our people, Ukrainians, would understand if our status was elevated to patriarchate. The exarchs accepted the information and will convey it to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, they will discuss it,' Zelensky stated.

    In August, Zelensky signed controversial legislation outlawing religious organizations that are suspected of having ties with Russia. The law is widely perceived as being primarily aimed at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the largest Christian denomination in the country, which was previously subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate.

    The canonical UOC has long faced competition from multiple rivaling unrecognized entities claiming to be the true Ukrainian church. It suffered a major blow when the OCU was established in 2018 with the help of then-President Pyotr Poroshenko. During his ultimately failed re-election bid, Poroshenko touted the emergence of the new church as a major — if not the main — achievement of his term.

    The OCU was recognized by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, a move that caused the Moscow Patriarchate to break ties with the body, a move that caused a major schism in the Orthodox world.

    With the beginning of the conflict between Kiev and Moscow, the UOC broke its ties to Moscow, declaring independence. This, however, did not spare it from the ever-growing pressure of the Ukrainian authorities, who have repeatedly accused it of still being linked to Russia.

    Its property has been seized and handed over to the OCU, while its priests have been harassed by both nationalists and Ukrainian intelligence agencies.

    The post Zelensky wants own patriarchate appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/zelensky-wants-own-patriarchate/

  • IDF raids Al Jazeera office #rwanda #RwOT

    Israeli soldiers in full combat gear entered Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah in the West Bank in the early hours of Sunday. They ordered the studio to close for 45 days, the channel said.

    A clip posted by the Qatari-owned channel shows armed IDF troops walking down the hallways and entering offices while being filmed by an Al Jazeera camera crew.

    'There is a court ruling for closing down Al Jazeera for 45 days,' a soldier told al-Omari, according to Al Jazeera,

    'I ask you to take all the cameras and leave the office at this moment,' he added.

    The Israeli government banned Al Jazeera from operating inside Israel in May, accusing it of helping the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

    A Tel Aviv court ruled in June that Al Jazeera's reporters in Gaza acted as 'de facto assistants and partners' of Hamas.

    The network denied the allegations. 'Israel's ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of internationa

    The post IDF raids Al Jazeera office appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/idf-raids-al-jazeera-office/

  • Gen Muhoozi abandons Presidential ambitions, endorses Museveni for 2026 bid #rwanda #RwOT

    In a statement shared on his X handle, Muhoozi expressed that this decision came after divine intervention.

    'I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first. So, I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,' Muhoozi stated.

    This announcement has sparked a range of reactions across Uganda, with some expressing full support while others voiced skepticism.

    Among the prominent figures to endorse Muhoozi’s decision is Balaam Barugahara, the State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Barugahara took to social media, praising Muhoozi for his loyalty and endorsing President Museveni for another term in office.

    'My leader General, I fully declare my unwavering support for General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s endorsement of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s candidacy in 2026. As our esteemed leader, your guidance is invaluable, and I pledge to stand firmly behind your declaration. We look forward to President Museveni’s final term and eagerly await General Kainerugaba’s leadership in the 2031 elections when Mzee finally retires. May God bless you, our leader, for respecting divine guidance,' Barugahara wrote.

    Other reactions on X painted a mixed picture. One user identified as Jaafar Karamagi expressed faith in Muhoozi’s future leadership.

    'We are patiently waiting and praying for the right time for our next president,' reflecting hopes for his potential candidacy in the future.

    However, David Bagonza, another X user, criticized Muhoozi’s shifting stance, saying, 'Always shifting goal posts with no strong objectives. It’s like a circus.'

    Muhoozi’s endorsement of his father for the 2026 elections raises questions about Uganda’s political future, especially given speculation about his presidential ambitions.

    With Museveni approaching his current term, many now wonder what role Muhoozi will play in Uganda’s political landscape after 2026.

    The Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced his decision to step back from contesting the 2026 presidential elections.

    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni

    Sam K Nkurunziza

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/gen-muhoozi-abandons-presidential-ambitions-endorses-museveni-for-2026-bid

  • CPDG praises transparent 2024 senatorial elections in Rwanda #rwanda #RwOT

    In an official report issued on September 20, 2024, CPDG expressed its satisfaction with the conduct of the elections, which were held on September 16 and 17, 2024, across the country.

    Founded in 2015, CPDG is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting peace, good governance, democracy, and development. The organization has consistently deployed election observers to monitor elections across Africa, particularly in French-speaking Central Africa and English-speaking East Africa.

    For the senatorial elections in Rwanda, CPDG deployed 42 election observers to 25 polling sites in districts and the City of Kigali, as well as 22 additional sites representing higher learning institutions.

    In their post-election report, CPDG highlighted the exceptional preparation and management of the elections by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

    The report noted: “The National Electoral Commission demonstrated expertise and professionalism in organizing and managing the senatorial elections of September 16 and 17, 2024. This was evident in the timely voter education, preparation of election materials, and ensuring transparency in the voting process.”

    One of the standout features of the election was the impressive voter turnout, with over 98% of registered voters in the electoral college participating. According to CPDG’s report.

    “The voter turnout was remarkable, exceeding 98% of registered voters. This success can be attributed to the voter awareness campaigns and the facilitation provided by the Electoral Commission, in collaboration with local authorities,” the report said.

    The organization also praised the smooth operation of polling stations, noting that the voting process commenced on time and election materials were delivered without delay. “In most polling stations, voting began at 9 AM as scheduled, and election materials were delivered on time and kept secure throughout the process,” CPDG stated.

    Furthermore, the report emphasized the integrity of the voting and counting processes.

    “The secrecy of the vote was respected at all polling stations and monitored by both international and national observers. Vote counting began immediately after the voting process ended and was conducted in an open and transparent manner.”

    CPDG also highlighted the role of election observers, both national and international, in ensuring the fairness of the elections.

    “Based on reports from its observers at polling stations across the country, CPDG is pleased to announce that the senatorial elections were conducted peacefully, transparently, and freely, with full respect for laws and human rights. This reflects a significant step in consolidating democracy and enhancing citizens’ participation in the electoral process.”

    The organization’s commendation of the 2024 senatorial elections underscores Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic practices and ensure that its citizens are actively engaged in shaping the nation’s governance.

    For the senatorial elections in Rwanda, CPDG deployed 42 election observers to 25 polling sites in districts and the City of Kigali, as well as 22 additional sites representing higher learning institutions.

    Sam K Nkurunziza

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/cpdg-praises-transparent-2024-senatorial-elections-in-rwanda

  • 4 Killed in Shooting Near University of Alabama's Birmingham Campus #rwanda #RwOT

    Gunmen opened fire in a popular entertainment district in Birmingham on Saturday night, killing four people and wounding dozens, the local police said. The authorities said they were still looking for the shooters.

    The police responded to calls of a shooting in the Five Points South area just past 11 p.m., Truman Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the Birmingham Police Department, said at a news conference. Two men and one woman were found dead at the scene, he said, while another person died at a nearby hospital.

    There were dozens of victims, with at least four of them suffering life-threatening injuries, Mr. Fitzgerald said. All the victims were standing on the sidewalk or in the street, he said.

    It was unclear whether the gunmen were on foot or driving, Mr. Fitzgerald said.

    The Five Points South area is home to University of Alabama at Birmingham's main campus and is the location of many bars and restaurants.

    Saturday's attack comes soon after four people were killed and nine injured in another shooting in Birmingham in July. Police say that in that episode they believe at least one person fired shots into a nightclub in North Birmingham.

    The post 4 Killed in Shooting Near University of Alabama's Birmingham Campus appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/4-killed-in-shooting-near-university-of-alabamas-birmingham-campus/

  • Six Monkeypox cases confirmed in Rwanda as vaccination efforts continue #rwanda #RwOT

    “Yes, the number has risen. Two more cases have been reported, bringing the total to six,” Niyingabira told IGIHE.

    The first case was confirmed in July, with the initial four cases involving individuals who had recently traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is facing a severe outbreak. DRC has reported over 22,000 Monkeypox cases and more than 715 deaths so far this year.

    In response, Rwanda recently launched its first phase of a vaccination campaign, aiming to vaccinate 10,000 people. This initiative focuses on high-risk groups, including healthcare workers, cross-border traders, hospitality staff, and others likely to be exposed to the virus.

    Sources indicate that the vaccination of 10,000 individuals is expected to be completed within one week.

    Across Africa, 2,912 new Monkeypox cases have been reported within a week, including 374 new infections and 14 deaths. The spread of a new variant, referred to as clade 1b, has raised concerns, with cases detected in the DRC, Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda.

    On September 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the use of the MVA-BN vaccine for Monkeypox. This vaccine had already been authorized in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

    Developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Bavaria Nordic A/S, the vaccine is administered to individuals aged 18 and older in two doses. The second dose is given four weeks after the first. In Rwanda, the current vaccination campaign is administering a single dose of 0.5 ml.

    Research indicates that the first dose of the vaccine provides 76% protection against Monkeypox, with the second dose increasing protection to 82%.

    Symptoms and treatment of Monkeypox

    Monkeypox symptoms usually appear three to 14 days after infection. The virus typically causes a rash that starts on the face, hands, and genital areas, but it can spread to other parts of the body. The rash consists of fluid-filled blisters that eventually dry up and form scabs as the individual recovers.

    In addition to the rash, patients often experience fever, which may be mild or severe, and fatigue.

    With appropriate treatment, most patients recover within two to three weeks after symptoms first appear.

    Rwanda recently launched its first phase of a vaccination campaign, aiming to vaccinate 10,000 people.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/health/article/six-monkeypox-cases-confirmed-in-rwanda-as-vaccination-efforts-continue

  • Over 400 new species discovered in Rwanda’s Rugezi Marsh #rwanda #RwOT

    Covering an area of 6,736 hectares across the Gicumbi and Burera districts, Rugezi Marsh is one of Rwanda’s most vital wetlands. It serves as a crucial water source for the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, which supply water to the Ntaruka and Mukungwa hydroelectric power stations.

    In 2006, Rugezi Marsh was designated a Ramsar site, joining a global network of wetlands protected under the Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 and enacted in 1975.

    Despite its ecological importance, the species inhabiting the marsh were not fully documented until the recent research initiative launched in 2023.

    Among the new discoveries are two species recorded in Rwanda for the first time: a butterfly known as the Hydrilla Leafcutter Moth and climbing plant species, Zehneria tridactyla.

    Researchers documented 197 plant species, including 109 previously unrecorded in the marsh. They also identified 127 bird species, 28 of which are new to the region.

    The marsh hosts an array of aquatic life, with 82 newly identified invertebrate species, 14 amphibian species (eight of which are newly discovered), and 13 reptile species (10 of them previously unknown).

    Regarding mammals, 53 species were recorded, including 22 species of bats. Three fish species were also found, one of which is newly discovered. The study also unveiled 149 species of arthropods, including 49 butterfly species, all previously undocumented in the Rugezi Marsh.

    Laure Rurangwa, a lead researcher with expertise in bird species, emphasized the significance of this thorough biodiversity study.

    She pointed out that it marks the first time such an in-depth investigation has been carried out in Rugezi, stressing the need for ongoing research to better understand the genetic composition of these species, which will contribute to global conservation initiatives.

    Rurangwa also mentioned the possibility of discovering species entirely new to science as genetic analysis continues.

    Dr. Olivier Nsengimana, Executive Director of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), underscored the importance of this research, particularly the conservation of cranes, a species of special concern in Rwanda.

    The Rugezi Marsh is home to nearly a quarter of the country’s crane population, which has grown from 487 in 2007 to 1,293 today, thanks to continued conservation efforts.

    Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), highlighted the critical role the marsh plays in Rwanda’s environment and energy sectors.

    He recalled the 2001-2002 power shortage caused by a decrease in water levels at the Ntaruka power station, later traced back to the drying of Rugezi Marsh.

    Restoration efforts were successfully completed by 2010, and today the marsh is thriving, with ongoing collaboration between authorities and local communities to protect the area and provide sustainable livelihoods for those living nearby.

    Rugezi Marsh is one of Rwanda’s most vital wetlands

    Fourteen amphibian species were also discovered in Rugezi Marsh

    Researchers also identified 127 bird species in Rugezi Marsh.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/environment/article/over-400-new-species-discovered-in-rwanda-s-rugezi-marsh

  • Dozens of rockets fired into Israel from Lebanon, IDF says #rwanda #RwOT

    A 'barrage' of rockets has been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon overnight, according to the Israeli army, as Hezbollah targeted industrial and military sites.

    Most of the 105 rockets were intercepted, though some homes were hit. Air raid sirens sounded throughout the night, the Israel Defense Forces said.

    Hezbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets towards targets in northern Israel in retaliation for last week's pager and walkie-talkie attacks.

    Israel has also continued attacking targets in Lebanon following Friday's air strike in Beirut which the IDF said killed a dozen senior Hezbollah commanders. Lebanon said 37 people — including three children — were killed

    Video posted online overnight, so far unverified by the BBC, appears to show a fire in a residential area near Haifa after it was hit by a Hezbollah rocket.

    On Saturday, dozens of fighter jets started 'extensively' striking southern Lebanon 'following detection of Hezbollah preparing to fire toward Israeli territory', Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said.

    Before the evening Israeli strikes began, the IDF said earlier it had destroyed 'about 180 sites and thousands of [rocket] launcher barrels' with strikes

    Earlier this week, 39 people were killed and thousands wounded after pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia and political group, exploded on two days across Lebanon.

    On Thursday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the attacks, saying it had crossed 'all red lines' and vowed 'just punishment'.

    Israel has not claimed responsibility.

    UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the pager and walkie-talkie explosions violated international humanitarian law.

    On Sunday morning, the IDF announced an expansion of new restrictions on communities in northern Israel and parts of the southern Golan Heights that had come into effect at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT) the night before.

    The IDF's Home Front Command limited gatherings to 10 participants in an open area and 100 participants in a closed space. Educational activities can continue and arrival to work is permitted as long as there are protected spaces available.

    The restrictions apply to the Haifa area and northward.

    As fears increase that the conflict may break out into a full-scale war, the US State Department issued new travel advice for citizens currently in Lebanon.

    The US Embassy in Beirut has urged people to 'depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available', noting they were already running at 'reduced capacity'.

    The embassy added it 'may not be able to assist US citizens who choose to remain'.

    Neighbouring Jordan's foreign ministry issued similar advice to its citizens, urging those in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible.

    Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 — the day after the attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from Gaza — when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions in solidarity with the Palestinians.

    Israel recently added the return of people displaced from the north of the country due to the cross-border fighting to its list of war goals.

    Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel was entering a 'new phase of the war' concentrating more of its efforts in the north.

    The post Dozens of rockets fired into Israel from Lebanon, IDF says appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/dozens-of-rockets-fired-into-israel-from-lebanon-idf-says/

  • Somalia bickers with federal states over deal with Egypt #rwanda #RwOT

    Somalia's move to invite Egyptian troops on its soil is playing out in differences between Mogadishu and its federal states, in what could derail the country's focus on security needs.

    On Wednesday, hundreds of people in Waajid, the second major town in Bakol region in South West State (SWS) of Somalia protested along the streets, carrying placards with such slogans as 'doonimayno Masar' (we don't want Egypt) and 'soo dhowoow Itoobiya' (welcome Ethiopia).

    The protests derailed transportation between Baidoa, the South West capital and Mogadishu as authorities sought to calm the unusual protests.

    As a result, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre flew to Baidoa in the company of top aides including the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Abdullahi Mohamed Ali alias Sanbaloolshe.

    They went to convince the SWS leader Abdiaziz Laftagareen that the federal government has plans to deploy enough forces to guarantee the security of his State in the event that Ethiopia is replaced.

    As per Somalia's plan, the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is undergoing a drawdown, expected to end the mission by December 31st this year.

    ATMIS is expected to be replaced by another AU peacekeeping force named the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which according to a decision taken by the Somali government will no longer have Ethiopian forces, effective 1st January 2025.

    Instead, Egyptian troops, tentatively numbered 5,000 will take part in the new AUSSOM plus additional 5,000 arriving via bilateral agreement between Somalia and Egypt.

    Following the prime minister's visit to Baidoa, Mr Laftagareen was expected to travel to Mogadishu to iron out the difference between the federal government and the regional state.

    'The Somali National Forces are adequately empowered to grant the security of the States and any worries on security will be cleared,' Barre had said in Baidoa.

    But the South West isn't the only one expressing opposition to Mogadisghu's policies. Puntland state had earlier 'suspended' cooperation after a fall-out over political reform.

    And Somaliland, which claimed secession but remains unrecognised, earlier angered Mogadishu after signing a controversial MoU with Ethiopia for Addis Ababa to build a naval base.

    Those three events now seem to be playing out in Somalia. For the South West, the Wdeal with Egypt became unpopular because its regions have relied on Ethiopian forces for security.

    Of the three regions, including Bay and Lower Shabelle, of which SWS is composed; Bakol is the one bordering Ethiopia, and its people share security, trade and other cross-border issues.

    Wajid District Commissioner Mohamed Moalim Yusuf stated that the districts, region and the SWS as a whole rely on the Ethiopian forces.

    'The peace, stability and education in Waif town are achieved through the sacrifices of the Ethiopian troops,' said Yusuf as protesters held cards showing the Ethiopian flag.

    The murmurs began when the first two Egyptian army planes landed at Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport towards the end of August to deliver weapons.

    Egypt had supported Somalia before, against Ethiopia. In the 1960s and 1970s, that support was often celebrated. This year seems different.

    Somaliland initially condemned the delivery. Last week, it closed down an Egyptian library in Hargeisa and ordered expatriate staffers out.

    Unlike the breakaway Somaliland authority that was expected to condemn the FGS's move, and embrace Ethiopia, South West State (SWS)'s rejection now means the country will be divided over who comes in for the new mission.

    Even the South West itself isn't united. Tension rose when about two dozen lawmakers representing SWS in the Lower House of the federal parliament, last week, strongly spoke out in favour of the pro-Ethiopian demonstrations in Bakol region while others also from SWS rejected the Ethiopian preference as anti-Somali interest.

    Sensing great escalation of tensions and polarisation within the legislature, the Speaker of Somalia's Lower House, officially known as the House of the People, Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe issued a directive banning all press conferences from being held both inside and outside the parliamentary premises.

    Outspoken MP Dahir Amin Jesow came out critical of the ban.

    'Press conferences are a tool to voice our views. Denying such opportunities amounts to suppression of political transparency and open discourse,' Jesow told the media.

    The MPs have since resorted to social media, enhancing divisions.  The pro-Mogadishu MPs asked parliament to revoke the immunity of the pro-Ethiopian lawmakers so that they can be prosecuted for treason.

    Speaker Madobe who himself hails from the SWS mediated between the two blocs and softened the rigidity held by the sides.

    But this week, the difference between the SWS and the FGS took an uglier phase that frightened the general public.

    It is a development that looks to follow President Laftagareen calling on members of the FGS hailing from the South West to come to Baidoa for consultations on current issues.

    On Tuesday, the Somali government was accused of blocking flights from Mogadishu to Baidoa forcing passengers, including businessmen, students, medical patients, and the body of a deceased individual to be transported for burial, albeit temporarily stranded at Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle Airport.

    Although the flights resumed hours later, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) denied blocking flights.

     Ms Sareed Mohamed Abdalla, a legislator from South West who said that her ticket to Baidoa was confiscated by federal security agents on Thursday.

    'A security agent from NISA took my ticket, told me to fly to Baidoa,' Ms Abdalla told the media.

    MPs opposing the SWS Authority of President Laftagareen stress that meetings against the FGS are being organised in Baidoa and that Laftagareen himself started travel disruptions by selectively denying MPs to travel to their constituencies.

    The post Somalia bickers with federal states over deal with Egypt appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/somalia-bickers-with-federal-states-over-deal-with-egypt/

  • Senior Hezbollah commander killed following Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut #rwanda #RwOT

    A deadly Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut on Friday has left over a dozen people dead, including a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, sharply escalating the conflict between the two sides and raising fears of all-out war.

    Senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil, part of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, was assassinated along with 'about 10' other commanders, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, accusing them of planning to raid and occupy communities in Galilee in northern Israel.

    Hezbollah confirmed Aqil's death on Friday, saying he was killed 'following a treacherous Israeli assassination operation on 09/20/2024 in the southern suburbs of Beirut.'

    According to Hagari, the targeted commanders were 'underground underneath a residential building in the heart of the Dahiyeh neighborhood, using civilians as a human shield' at the time of the attack.

    Lebanon's health ministry said at least 14 people were killed and 66 others injured in the airstrike, which leveled a multistory building in a densely populated neighborhood.

    Aqil had a $7 million bounty on his head from the United States for his suspected involvement in the 1983 strike on the US Embassy in Beirut, which killed 63 people, as well as the bombing of the Beirut Marine barracks, which killed 241 US personnel later that year.

    A CNN team on the ground in Beirut saw a frantic effort to rescue people from underneath the rubble and rush the wounded to hospital. Witnesses said nearby buildings shook for nearly half an hour after the strike, which the IDF said it had carried out at around 4 p.m. local time.

    A week of surprise attacks

    Friday's strike marked the fourth consecutive day of surprise attacks on Beirut and other sites across the country, even as Israeli forces continued deadly strikes and operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

    The first major attack against Hezbollah this week came Tuesday afternoon when pagers belonging to the militant groups' members exploded near-simultaneously. The pagers had been used by Hezbollah to communicate after the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, encouraged members to switch to low-tech devices to prevent more of them from being assassinated.

    Almost exactly 24 hours later, Lebanon was rocked by a second wave of explosions, after Hezbollah walkie-talkies detonated in Beirut and the south of the country on Wednesday.

    At least 37 people were killed, including some children, and more than 3,000 were injured in the twin attacks.

    In a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that the detonation of communication devices could violate international human rights law.

    Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon clashed at the heated meeting, with Bou Habib calling on the council to condemn Israel's actions and Danon slamming the Lebanese envoy for not mentioning Hezbollah.

    A photo taken in southern Beirut shows the remains of an exploded pager on Tuesday.
    A photo taken in southern Beirut shows the remains of an exploded pager on Tuesday.  AFP/Getty Images

    Israel initially refused to comment on Tuesday's pager explosions, but on Wednesday tacitly acknowledged its role in the attacks. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the 'excellent achievements' of the IDF, together with the country's security agency, the Shin Bet, and its intelligence agency Mossad.

    Gallant said a 'new era' of war was beginning, and on Thursday Israel targeted Beirut for a third time, flying jets and dropping flares over the city while Nasrallah made a speech in which he pledged Israel would face a 'reckoning.' Later, Israel launched one of its most intense bombardments against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in nearly a year of cross—border strikes, saying it hit about 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers.

    Friday's airstrike was the third Israeli airstrike on Beirut since hostilities began last year, after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. In January, an Israeli airstrike killed Saleh Al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' military wing, who had been living in Beirut. In July, a second Israeli strike on Beirut killed Hezbollah's most senior military official, Fu'ad Shukr.

    Several other Iran-backed militant groups, including the powerful Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba in Iraq have vowed revenge for Israel's attack on southern Beirut. The groups have carried out several attacks against US forces in Iraq and Israel since Israel's war with Hamas started.

    Ibrahim Aqil, pictured here on a wanted poster, had a $7 million bounty on his head from the United States.
    Ibrahim Aqil, pictured here on a wanted poster, had a $7 million bounty on his head from the United States.  US State Department via REUTERS

    Before the surprise attacks on Lebanon, Israel's security cabinet on Monday voted to add a new objective to its ongoing conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah: ensuring the safe return of residents from communities along its northern border with Lebanon to their homes.

    After nearly a year of cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel, tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes both in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. While the return of residents of northern Israel has long been understood to be a political necessity for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, this is the first time it has been made an official war goal.

    While ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the scene in southern Beirut, CNN's team on the ground saw one car fleeing with suitcases strapped onto it, another sign of the fear and panic sweeping Lebanese civilians after days of explosions and now airstrikes.

    The post Senior Hezbollah commander killed following Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/senior-hezbollah-commander-killed-following-israeli-airstrike-in-southern-beirut/